Thread: Sub-Frame Connectors

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I have a 1971 and 1974 4 door HQ Kingswood and Monaro, both use many components from your Pontiac's of the mid 60's. I have noticed that you use on the Comaro a connector that ties the half chassis to the body, I was thinking of doing this to my cars, as one has a BB454 Chev and the other a very modified 308 V8. I have some questions about it, how dose it work, where do you connect to, I was thinking the lower control arm mount of the rear suspension. Then how do you tie it all together, because we use round rubber mounts much like you do, so one end might be welded the other would float on the rubber, I want to make it more positive and feel the road and transmit power better. Any points of information, tips, plans, ideas would be very appreciated or am I barking up the wrong tree? Cheers, Albert.

Can't say I've ever seen one of either car, but subframe connectors are the same for most any car. They are designed to connect the front and rear subframe assemblies, and work best when the floor is notched and the connector is welded to the floor as well as the front and rear subframes. I generally use 2X2 inch material, not too heavy a wall, and weld them in very well with bracing and gusseting as required....

Frame connectors work ! The car will hook better stop better and handle better ! When you install them jack up the car and Level it the best you can . with the doors and windows closed put the jack stands under the frame around 5" in front of were the connectors mount . Check again that the car is Level .Then bolt or weld them in . Welding them is better .

Thanks folks, I gather you mean that a sub-frame connector joins the front half with the rear half so that means that your chassis is in two pieces rather than the one, my monaro and kingswood has a chassis rails that looks a lot like your comaro and firebird setup, a monocoupe body so to speak, I'm just a bit confused as to how you handle the installation, as I would have to make my own connectors, no one manufactures them and it means designing them too, I would like to find out exactly where they bolt to or weld to and I gather the end of the rails, so I figure mine would come out at a 75 degree angle, weld to the chassis then kick up, back and twist to the lower suspension point, does that make any sense?

go to www.competitionengineering.com then go to instructions part# C 3012 1969 Camaro This sould give you a real good idea how to make them and install them . They are like 2"x3" boxed 3/16 steel . And they go from the end of the front frame to the front of the rear frame . Make sure you make them long enough to go inside both frames about 4" COOL

Thank you very much I will do so...

You will be amazed how much subframe connectors stiffen the chassis. When we did my Kids Capri the car was like a wet noodle before, but after we welded them in you could jack up one corner and the entire car would raise up on that end.

Don

I looked into how they are made, went under my car and found I have no room only 18 inches from the end of the sub frame to the wheel well and it curves with the suspension anchor and hand brake cable being in the way. I looked ahead of this and was wondering if I connect a beam across the two ends of the sub frame and used the middle as a tail shaft loop with exhaust cutouts would this work, it would place the connectors half way between the gearbox X-member and the the end of the sub frame, I could use a K style to then connect it to the floor of my car and have both ends in the sub frame, does anyone have any ideas on this, I searched google Australia and could not find anyone who had made a set for my 1971-74 HQ Kingswood and Monaro. Hope you blokes like an engineering challenge.

Cheers Albert.